Dear Maintenance Men:
By Jerry L'Ecuyer & Frank Alvarez

Dear Maintenance Men:
I have a problem. How do I get rid of a smart rat? The rodent has decided that living in one of my unit’s garages rent free is the way to go. He is starting to eat into my tenant’s belongings and just creating a mess. The longer he lives there the dumber I feel.
Victor

Dear Victor:
Rats do seem quite clever at times. One thing you need to know about rats is that they are not risk takers. In the rat’s mind putting a trap out in the middle of the garage will be regarded as too risky to investigate. Rodents will run along walls, rafters and other low exposure areas.

Put the traps along these routes about ten feet apart. A good bait to use is peanut butter. Patience is king when trying to trap a rat. Place all your baited traps, but Do Not set them for a day or two. Let the rat nibble at the bait danger free. This last part is the hardest to do. But, patience will win out.

If you rush ahead and set the traps and the rat triggers one without being caught, he will remember! Also, avoid using traps designed for mice; it will only annoy the rat and he will be smarter for it. Using poison is another option. Anticoagulant poison is very popular. This poison causes the rat’s blood to thin. It will also make him thirsty and when he drinks water, he will bleed internally.

When using this option, be sure to leave a saucer of water near the poison. The poison normally comes in bars that can be broken up into pieces. Remember rats hoard, so just because the poison is gone, does not mean they ate it. Put more until they stop taking it.

The local hardware store should carry this product, but it is best to go to a farm supply store. They will have the best supply. Be careful with placement, so other animals do not eat this poison or use an approved dispenser found at your local hardware or farm supply store. Again, patience is rewarded.

Before using poison bait, use crunchy peanut butter to let the rats get used to the bait for a few days. Then add the poison bait with a little bit of peanut butter.

We have found through desperation, that rats really hate Talk Radio. Turn on a radio to a talk station over night. Be sure to leave the rat an escape route out of the garage. It’s been known to work!!

If you need maintenance work, consultation or management for your building or project, please feel free to contact us. We are available throughout Southern California. For an appointment, please call Buffalo Maintenance, Inc. at (714) 956-8371 and JLE Property Management, Inc. at (714) 778-0480.

Bio:

Jerry L'Ecuyer is the owner of JLE Property Management & Buffalo Maintenance, Inc. and is a licensed contractor & real estate broker.  He is currently on the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Education Committee for the Apartment Association of Orange County.  Jerry has been involved with apartments as a professional since 1988 and can be reached at (714) 778-0480 or jerry@JLE1.com.  Frank Alvarez is the Operations Director for Buffalo Maintenance, Inc.  He has been involved with apartment maintenance for over 14 years. He is a lecture speaker & CAM instructor.  Frank can be reached at (714) 956-8371 or visit the office at, 202 E. Broadway in Anaheim, CA 92805.  Please view our web sites at: www.JLE1.com  & www.BuffaloMaintenance.com